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What do we mean when we talk about JUSTICE?
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“ Justice – the practice of what is right and just . Justice (or ‘judgment,' KJV) specifies what is right, not only as measured by a code of law, but also by what makes for right relationships as well as harmony and peace.


The English term ‘justice' has a strong legal flavor. But the concept of justice in the Bible goes beyond the law courts to everyday life. The Bible speaks of  ‘doing justice'  (Ps. 82:3; Prov. 21:3), whereas we speak of ‘getting justice.' Doing justice is to maintain what is right or to set things right. Justice is done when honorable relations are maintained between husbands and wives, parents and children, employers and employees, government and citizens, human beings and God. Justice refers to neighborliness in spirit and action.

Kings, rulers, and those in power are to be instruments of justice (Ps. 72:1), as exemplified by David (2 Sam. 8:15 ) and Josiah (Jer. 22:15 -16). The prophet Micah declared, ‘He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?' (Micah 6:8). The Book of Isaiah describes God's suffering servant, a description best fulfilled in Jesus, as One whose task as ruler will be to bring justice to the nations (Is. 42:1-4).

The prophets of the Old Testament were champions of social justice. During those days, justice was often perverted through bribery and favoritism or partiality (Deut. 1:17 ; Prov. 17:23 ). But God's rewards come to those who practice justice in all their dealings with others. In the words of the prophet Amos, ‘Let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream' (Amos 5:24 ).”

This definition is taken from the Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary , Ronald F. Youngblood, General Editor. Bold type is our emphasis.

 
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